Newcastle United close in on Loic Remy as Demba Ba nears exit

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Newcastle United have reportedly agreed a deal for Marseille forward Loic Remy as the Magpies prepares for life without Demba Ba.

Marseille and Newcastle United have reached an agreement over the sale of Loic Remy in January. According to reports in the Mirror, the deal is said to be worth around £10million, with Sylvain Marveaux going the other way.

Loic Remy was a wanted man in England. Queens Park Rangers, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton were all linked with a move for the Frenchman in January and last summer.

Recently Chelsea were rumoured to have lined up Remy as a possible replacement for the Liverpool bound Daniel Sturridge. But now it seems Newcastle has gazumped them in a move.

The Frenchman is in the final year of his current contract at Marseille and the French club decided to cash-in on him instead of losing him for free next summer. Tottenham officially enquired about Remy last summer, but Marseille didn’t back down from their demands of £20 million. But as Remy refused to renew his contract, Marseille were forced lessen their demands.

Although neither of the clubs are expected to make any official announcement before the transfer window reopens in January, Remy is a big coup for Alan Pardew.

Remy’s arrival at Newcastle also signals the end of Demba Ba’s career at St. James’ Park. The Senegalese international, who was signed from West Ham in 2011, is seemingly heading towards an exit in January.

Demba Ba recently made it to the headlines after his public outburst at the club’s style of play. The 27-year-old stated in recent interview:

“I’m not happy when the team does not create anything.

“Fans come to see beautiful games with beautiful actions and not long balls from the goalkeeper to the striker.”

These comments didn’t go down too well with manager Alan Pardew and some of his teammates. Although Ba escaped any disciplinary actions by the club, Newcastle has reportedly decide to cash-in on him.

Demba Ba has been linked with a lot of English clubs since the £7million buy-out clause in his contract was revealed. Newcastle attempted to renew Ba’s contract in order to remove the clause, but the Senegalese refused to negotiate.

Although Ba made a successful start to his Newcastle career, his relationship with the club has deteriorated since the arrival of fellow countrymen Papiss Cisse. Cisse’s arrival coincided with Ba losing his goal scoring form last season.

It has been evident this season as well that Ba and Cisse don’t combine well with each other despite playing for the same national team. Earlier in the season Ba was moved to the wide position as Pardew changed his tactics. But Ba expressed his displeasure at being played in a wide role.

Since then, Pardew has again tried to accommodate both the strikers upfront. Although Ba’s goal scoring touch has returned after this, Cisse has struggled to get his name up in the score sheet.

Ba’s refusal to remove the buy-out clause has ensured that question marks remains on his future at the club and in recent interview he has admitted to be ‘tempted’ by Arsenal’s interest in him.

Loic Remy would be the perfect replacement for Ba in the squad. Remy scored 21 goals for Marseille (in all competitions) last season, but the most important thing about him is the fact that he is comfortable playing out wide.

The Frenchman has featured on either side of the wings, and this would provide Alan Pardew with greater tactical flexibility, which Demba Ba didn’t.

Remy’s arrival could provide the thrust Newcastle requires at this stage of the season and Ba’s departure will certainly help in improving the team spirit.